The annual siren rehearsal will take place on Saturday. In addition, the mobile phone alert system “AT-Alert” will be activated on a trial basis throughout Austria for the first time. “These test releases are carried out by the states and the Ministry of the Interior,” it was announced on Tuesday.
Like the siren test, they take place via mobile phone from approximately 1 p.m.
Mobile phone emits a loud acoustic signal
The test run of AT-Alert will be noticeable on the mobile phones on Saturday in two ways: A text message will appear on the screen: “Attention test – Austria-wide test activation of civil protection signals via sirens and test triggers of AT-Alert The mobile phone will also emit a loud acoustic signal as a warning tone.
At the highest alarm level, this audible alarm cannot be suppressed. If you do not want to receive the trial warning, you must put your mobile phone in airplane mode or switch it off, for example while driving a vehicle or at an event, the Ministry of the Interior said in a press release.
Supplement to the siren warning
AT-Alert is an addition to the extensive siren warning system. Authorities can send regional or national alerts through mobile phone providers. The system is based on cell broadcast technology, an independent message transmission technology. Text messages are sent to mobile phones logged into the affected area. Possible warnings relate to hazards such as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, impending floods or forest fires.
Because of the way it works, AT-Alert guarantees complete anonymity. It is emphasized: no personal data is requested or used.
To receive alerts via AT-Alert it is not necessary to download or register an app. You do need a phone with the Android or iOS operating system (from version 11 or iOS 17.4). Therefore, check your device for reception capacity and the settings for the individual warning levels.
The highest warning level cannot be deactivated
In addition to the practice and test warning, there are four other warning levels. The highest warning level (emergency alarm) cannot be viewed in the mobile phone settings menu. This is activated by default on all mobile phones and cannot be deactivated. Older phones that can only receive 2G will only receive the highest warning level. If the phone is in airplane mode or completely turned off, no alert will be received.
AT-Alert has already proven itself during the severe weather conditions in mid-September. According to the Ministry of the Interior, fifteen warnings have been sent by the hard-hit states of Styria, Burgenland and Lower Austria. The first test phase also went smoothly. When the new system comes into effect, the old warning system “Katwarn” and the associated app will be discontinued.
Source: Krone
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